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sarahmae531's reviews
118 reviews
Please Love Me at My Worst by Michaela Angemeer
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
It was a book…
Found it through TikTok (probably mistake #1) and liked the poem the video highlighted so I decided to pick it up. Other than the poem that caught my attention, I liked approximately 4 others.. This just further solidified that I just don’t like modern poetry.
Found it through TikTok (probably mistake #1) and liked the poem the video highlighted so I decided to pick it up. Other than the poem that caught my attention, I liked approximately 4 others.. This just further solidified that I just don’t like modern poetry.
Can't Resist Her by Kianna Alexander
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The summary of this book made me think I would love it, but I just couldn’t wait for it to be over.
Even though it’s a fairly short book, it was also far too long. The actual plot of this book could’ve fit into 150 pages. Did anyone else get the phrase “show don’t tell” pounded into their head in high school english classes? Because I don’t think the author did. We don’t need to know what every single character is wearing or the street by street route someone is driving. It just all felt very juvenile, and all the random explaining of things really cut up the plot of the book and made it hard to follow and want to pick back up.
And that’s not even talking about the characters. I had love hate relationships with most of them, but for the most part they all just annoyed me.
Also it ended in one of my least favorite ways a book can end(the main characters getting married after such little time) that it was the final nail in the coffin for this book.
Okay, rant over 😵💫
Even though it’s a fairly short book, it was also far too long. The actual plot of this book could’ve fit into 150 pages. Did anyone else get the phrase “show don’t tell” pounded into their head in high school english classes? Because I don’t think the author did. We don’t need to know what every single character is wearing or the street by street route someone is driving. It just all felt very juvenile, and all the random explaining of things really cut up the plot of the book and made it hard to follow and want to pick back up.
And that’s not even talking about the characters. I had love hate relationships with most of them, but for the most part they all just annoyed me.
Also it ended in one of my least favorite ways a book can end
Okay, rant over 😵💫
Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Really wanted to love this book but it just fell flat for me.
While the story is all too real and should be told, all of the characters gave me a headache.. The plot point in the summary that really drew me in (Mickey’s manifesto blowing up on social media) happens 80% in, meaning the majority of the book follows Mickey as she spirals and makes terrible decisions. Don’t get me wrong, it’s relatable, but it’s not super fun to read about, especially when you don’t find any of the characters enjoyable..
While the story is all too real and should be told, all of the characters gave me a headache.. The plot point in the summary that really drew me in (Mickey’s manifesto blowing up on social media) happens 80% in, meaning the majority of the book follows Mickey as she spirals and makes terrible decisions. Don’t get me wrong, it’s relatable, but it’s not super fun to read about, especially when you don’t find any of the characters enjoyable..
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Ho. ly. Shit!!!! Everyone saying you need to at least get to this book was so right. I am honestly speechless right now.
Beautiful writing, this book made me laugh, cry, and made my heart feel like it was going to explode.
Beautiful writing, this book made me laugh, cry, and made my heart feel like it was going to explode.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Body horror
Moderate: Sexual assault
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My first fantasy book, and will definitely be picking up more, especially in this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Body horror, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault and Suicidal thoughts
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Another sweet addition to the series
Toxic Positivity: Keeping It Real in a World Obsessed with Being Happy by Whitney Goodman
inspiring
medium-paced
👍🏻
“there is immense power in knowing when you need compassion and when you need a kick in the butt“
“there is immense power in knowing when you need compassion and when you need a kick in the butt“
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A cute spicy romance, loved the fact that Bee and Nolan were both fans of each other before meeting and it wasn’t weird and one-sided.
While I’d prefer it without, I felt the classic “third act breakup” was well thought out and made sense as there were other things riding on it, rather didn’t totally relying on miscommunication.
While I’d prefer it without, I felt the classic “third act breakup” was well thought out and made sense as there were other things riding on it, rather didn’t totally relying on miscommunication.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Jesus christ, I could not wait for this book to be over. I don’t think I could care less about Beat or Melody. Melody is the worst kind of “quirky awkward female lead” and Beat’s whole issue is that he has an edging kink. 🤨 And not an edging kink because he’s into it, but because he’s sooooo fortunate in other parts of his life that he doesn’t deserve sexual pleasure. WHAT?!
I read It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey and enjoyed it (spicy scenes were 10/10) but these scenes always had *at least* one line part way through that felt so out of pocket I had to walk away for a second.
I wish there was more focus on Steel Birds, I found both Trina and Octavia far more interesting and likable than their children, even though you’re obviously supposed to dislike them for the majority of the book.
I could obviously go on and on complaining about this book, but I’ll leave it at that…
Okay one more thought…
ENGAGED?!? You’re getting engaged when you’ve known each other for real for like a month?? It’s one of my biggest pet peeves when the only happy ending an author can come up with is a ring. 🙄
I read It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey and enjoyed it (spicy scenes were 10/10) but these scenes always had *at least* one line part way through that felt so out of pocket I had to walk away for a second.
I wish there was more focus on Steel Birds, I found both Trina and Octavia far more interesting and likable than their children, even though you’re obviously supposed to dislike them for the majority of the book.
I could obviously go on and on complaining about this book, but I’ll leave it at that…
Okay one more thought…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Enjoyed the book overall. There were certain parts that seemed a little outlandish and unbelievable, but that was kind of expected going into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Gun violence, Murder, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Toxic friendship